#39 Part 20 The Benefits of Godliness Are of Sheer Grace.

This is also the second part of this apostolic verse; namely, the important reason which should motivate us so that with the utmost zeal, we should train in godliness. This, then, is the greatest overwhelming benefit which we shall derive from this, because godliness is good for all things and holds the promise for this and the future life, for which bodily training is of little value.
With this, however, of necessity we are to take note of two things: First of all, that such a rich bestowal of godliness—as one experiences it in this and also in the future life—takes place by sheer grace and not by our earning it by works. The apostle teaches this when he says: Godliness possesses the promise of this and the future life. For if it is a promise, then it cannot be something earned, especially since the promise flows forth from sheer unearned grace. Concerning the promise of the land of Canaan given to the Israelites, God the Lord says the following through Moses to His people in Deu. 9:4-5: Do not say in your heart: The Lord has led me in to take this land because of my righteousness, for you are not entering in to receive this land of the Gentiles because of your righteousness and because of the uprightness of your heart. And later He repeats this again in v. 6—So then, realize that the heart of your God does not give you this good land to enter into because of your righteousness, especially since you are a stiff-necked people. (Schola Pietatus-Volume 1 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, p. 24-25)